In an era when defensemen rarely powered the attack, Roger Léger, a 5-foot-11, 200-pound blue-liner, was always an offensive threat. A high-scoring junior player, he had his first taste of NHL action with the New York Rangers, playing a handful of games in the 1943-44 season before being relegated to the minors for the next two seasons.

Léger’s 112 point harvest in two years with the AHL Buffalo Bisons attracted attention and a trade was arranged. Bob Dill left the Habs organization and Leger made his way to Montreal in time for the 1946-47 season.

Seeing action in 49 games, the 27-year-old proved he belonged in the NHL. Playing a markedly less physical game than most of his peers, Léger managed to effectively counter incoming forwards by using angles and positioning rather than his size.

He lit the lamp four times and emerged as a talented playmaker, assisting on 18 of his teammates’ markers. Continuing to contribute in the playoffs, Léger added six more helpers in the postseason, becoming the Habs’ top postseason point-getter among defensemen.

In 1947-48, he posted similar offensive numbers but saw his penalty total balloon to 26 minutes, the most he would serve in his NHL career. Limited to only 28 games with the big club the next season, Léger managed to record 13 points while also suiting up for Buffalo and the Dallas Texans of the USHL.

Back with the Canadiens for the bulk of the 1949-50 schedule, the 30-year-old veteran played his final 55 NHL games, seeing reduced ice time as Doug Harvey developed into a budding superstar and Hal Laycoe was added to the Habs’ blue line corps.

Continuing on for several more years in the minors, Léger also served as coach with the WCHL Victoria Cougars before returning to his Quebec roots to line up with the Montreal Royals and Shawinigan Cataractes of the QHL.